The Tashiro-Kaplan Artists Loft Complex was described in the previous Gallery Views as one of two important new gallery complexes in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. The Greg Kucera Gallery that has undergone expansion in 2005 and the about-to-be opened Foster/White Gallery adjacent to it (located a block away from the TK) comprises a second cluster of art amenities on the east edge of Pioneer Square that culturally enrich the city’s historic core.

Greg Kucera Gallery in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square expanded its exhibition space in 2005

Foster/White Gallery next door is a work-in-progress and will open on April 6, 2006

In Fall 1998, Greg Kucera, who was already the proprietor of a successful commercial gallery on Second Avenue in Pioneer Square, moved to The Lofts building and set up a multi-faceted gallery at 212 Third Avenue South. The 3,500 square-foot space became three separate exhibition halls. In addition, there was an upstairs loft and an outside deck for sculpture. In February 2005, Kucera opened an additional 2,000 square feet of show space on the ground level of the adjoining half of the same building. This provided room for two new galleries and a chance to expand the outdoor area for three-dimensional art.

In both phases of redesign, the hugh fir beam supports and fir planking floors of the original turn of the 20th century structure were preserved. Suitable walls and alcoves were created to accommodate group and solo exhibits by members of Kucera’s large and diverse stable of international artists, ranging from senior practictioners Richard Serra, Christian Boltanski and Robert Rauschenberg to relatively younger persons of note – Ann Hamilton, Graham Gillmore and the Guerilla Girls collective.

The Foster/White Gallery will maintain its long-established premise at 1331 Fifth Avenue in Rainier Square. When its new gallery opens on Third Avenue South, the venue at 123 South Jackson Street that Foster/White had been temporarily occupying will be vacated.

The new premises will feature a 7,000 square-foot gallery set under an almost 20-foot high wood ceiling from which a 7-foot tall chandelier by internationally renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly will be suspended. The original steel piers have been exposed and lovingly polished in the redesign process. At the back of the main exhibition space, a two-level mezzanine and administration area has been created. The Foster/White shares the outdoor upstairs patio with Greg Kucera Gallery – a patio constructed from first growth beams and planks.

The new Foster/White will open April 6 with a two-person exhibition by Lloyd Blakley and Jim Kraft. Alden Masson’s solo show is scheduled for May. Glass by Dale Chihuly will be on display in August.

Ann Rosenberg is a freelance curator, critic, and author.